Why mental fitness depends on strong leg muscles
The brain ages more slowly the better the muscle fitness, measured by the strength of the legs - this is the finding of British scientists. Researchers at Kings College in London studied 324 female twins over a period of ten years. The advantage of the twin design of the study is, among other things, the same genetic make-up of the test subjects, which enables clearer results.
The studies indicate that strengthening the body's largest muscles, for example through running or gymnastics exercises, has a positive effect on cognitive abilities. The twin who had stronger leg muscles at the start of the study experienced fewer structural, age-related changes in the brain during the study period - for example in terms of memory performance and information processing. Earlier studies had already shown that physical activity has a positive effect on the ageing of the brain. Animal studies have shown that muscle training promotes the release of hormones that are responsible for nerve cell growth.
Conclusion:
Further studies are still needed to decipher the exact mechanisms responsible for this and to find out whether this effect is similar in men and people of different ages. However, the fact is that sporting activities not only have a significant impact on the body, but also on the mind.
Source: body LIFE
Image source: shutterstock/Sergey Nivens
Published on: 25 January 2016